Madrid Demands Barcelona's Financial Records in Escalating Referee Payment Scandal

Real Madrid has formally requested Barcelona's internal financial documents from 2010-2018 as tensions rise over the controversial Negreira case involving alleged referee payments.

By Chris Posiano

December 25, 2025 at 3:57 AM

8,532 views

Spanish football giants Real Madrid have intensified their legal battle against rivals FC Barcelona by formally requesting eight years of financial records as part of the ongoing investigation into the explosive Negreira scandal.

Clash of Titans Reignites

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez used the club's annual Christmas address to launch a fiery condemnation of Spanish football authorities, calling the alleged corruption involving former referee official José María Enríquez Negreira "the biggest scandal in football history."

The controversy centers on €7 million in payments Barcelona allegedly made to Negreira between 2001-2018 during his tenure as vice-president of Spain's Technical Committee of Referees (CTA). Madrid now seeks comprehensive financial audits, tax records, and internal meeting minutes from their Catalan rivals covering 2010-2018.

Pérez's Scathing Accusations

"How is it possible that the president of the referees asks us to forget it? How are we going to forget the biggest scandal in the history of football?" Pérez demanded during his address. "The institutions have left Madrid alone in this fight."

The Madrid chief accused La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) of failing to uphold sporting integrity, suggesting the alleged corruption may have influenced league standings over two decades.

Barcelona's Fiery Response

Barcelona president Joan Laporta retaliated by accusing Madrid of suffering from "acute Barcelonitis" - a term implying obsessive rivalry. He dismissed the allegations as envy-driven smear campaigns against the Catalan club.

"They have acute Barcelonitis, and this suits us fine," Laporta stated. "We won't allow these permanent smear campaigns against our shield and essence."

Legal Demands Expand

According to reports, Madrid's comprehensive request includes:

Internal audits examining payments to six specific companies
Annual financial statements with external audit reports
Minutes from Barcelona's Tax Governance Committee meetings
Legal communications related to Negreira's companies
Testimony from former Barcelona official Carlos Naval Biosca

The legal battle continues as both clubs prepare to resume La Liga action on January 3, with tensions showing no signs of cooling during the holiday break.